Abstract
This paper investigates the effects of laser power density of a fiber laser on surface transformation hardening of two types of medium-carbon steels. An out-of-focus laser beam produced by a fiber laser system is used to produce an irradiated track on the surface of the samples. The tests use two types of medium-carbon steels with different initial microstructures, including X15 containing ferrite and pearlite and AC16 composed of tempered martensite. The tests on X15 show that for each laser power there is an optimum power density that produces the maximum hardness. With increased laser power, the optimal power density for both surface hardness and hardened depth is lowered. For AC16 tests, the maximum hardness value is not found to be dependent on laser power density. Alloying elements may increase the hardened depth. Slight surface melting may facilitate the hardening process and increase the surface hardness. The hardened depth is generally increased with higher laser power and/or laser power density. Compared with other types of lasers, fiber laser is a competitive tool in hardening of medium-carbon steels.http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.17.3.510
Highlights
Laser surface treatment is a process of altering the metallurgical and mechanical properties of the material surface with laser irradiation
Laser transformation hardening is a well-known process, information about laser hardening with fiber laser is basically unavailable
This study focuses on how the laser power and power density of a fiber laser affect laser hardening of medium-carbon steel samples in the hardness profile across the irradiated track, along the depth below the treated surface and in microstructures
Summary
Laser surface treatment is a process of altering the metallurgical and mechanical properties of the material surface with laser irradiation. It is mostly used to produce hard, wear-resistant regions on the workpiece while retaining the bulk material unaffected [1,2,3]. Of radiation produced by laser diodes can be efficiently absorbed by iron-based materials [10]. Laser transformation hardening is a well-known process, information about laser hardening with fiber laser is basically unavailable. This study focuses on how the laser power and power density of a fiber laser affect laser hardening of medium-carbon steel samples in the hardness profile across the irradiated track, along the depth below the treated surface and in microstructures. Experimental results are compared with a previous study by high power diode laser hardening
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